MARTINSTOWN captain Ed Nichols feels his side are underdogs for tomorrow’s derby against local rivals Dorchester in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division (1pm).

Dorchester have been in great form so far this season, winning six of their opening nine games with two washouts.

But Nichols feels his side can do some damage on their home patch – a ground that the visitors have struggled on in recent times.

The captain told Echosport: “They’re (Dorchester) the form side and they keep winning to put themselves near the top of the table.

“Since we started playing them they haven’t beaten us at home so it has a fortress feel about it.

“Our ground is a good batting pitch and any good side can play well there, but having that advantage over them can make a difference. How much? I don’t know.”

The sides met on the opening day of the season back in April and the county town side were victorious by 18 runs.

Since that defeat, Nichols feels his side has improved.

He added: “I think we have a clearer idea of our roles in the side but so do they.

“I think both teams will line up stronger then they did

before.

“Our guys are playing well, which gives us confidence to know we can do it (win).”

Dorchester visit Martinstown feeling frustrated after their game with Swanage last weekend was abandoned without a ball being bowled, which saw them slip off the top of the table.

Now, Mitchem’s men are raring to go as they look to get back to winning ways.

He said: “It’s a local rivalry, isn’t it, so we are all looking forward to playing, especially after last week’s washout.”

The county town side are firm favourites for the clash, so does that mean his charges are feeling the pressure?

“No, not really,” he added. “We’re confident in our abilities and we’re focusing on ourselves.

“We have to go there and play our game.”

Dorchester will welcome back Will McKay, Dan Morris and Jack Walklett to the side and Mitchem feels the team will be boosted by the returning trio.

He explained: “It’s good to have that strength in depth, which is great.

“We’re going there with a very strong team, which always helps and we have all the extra options available.

“Everyone has to contribute and when we do that we win

games.”

Martinstown: (from) House, Camp, Nichols, Hill, Bishop, Banfield, Reynolds, Chase, Stewart, Rimmer, Pickering, Read, Lawson

Dorchester: (from) Belt, Moxom, Mitchem, Morris, Caldwell, Roe, Fitzgerald, Osborne, Foot, Richardson, Dunham, McKay, Walklett